HOLLY. 



289 



tree, which he prepares into birdlime, and 

 thus entangles his prey. 



This tree, which loves a cold loamy soil 

 and a sheltered situation, will thrive also 

 where the south-west sea-blasts cut most 

 other trees as if mown with a scythe, nor 

 does it refuse to grow on gravel, chalk, or 

 rocky land ; and we have often seen it thrive 

 upon brick earth, as well as upon dry hot 

 sand and sterile heathy commons ; thus ac- 

 commodating itself to almost every soil and 

 situation in the kingdom. Grouping itself 

 with the yellow-broom or furze, it shines un- 

 rivalled in the vegetable kingdom, parti- 

 cularly in the month of February. The 

 holly is valuable as well as ornamental. The 

 timber is the whitest of all the hard woods; and 

 therefore preferred by the turner and engraver 

 to most others, as well as by the cabinet- 

 maker, when fashion permits the inlaying of 

 coloured woods. It is often dyed black to 

 imitate ebony ; and it has long been in great 

 demand at Tunbridge, in Kent, where it is 

 manufactured into numerous fancy articles. 



Deer feed upon the leaves in winter, and 

 sheep browse upon it to their advantage. 



Like the hawthorn, the holly sends forth 

 its white flowers in May, and its berries, like 

 the haws of the thorn, hang on the branches 



VOL. i. u 



